Learning From the Entitlement Crowd

As a lot of you know, I've been on hiatus for a while (much too long) dealing with some personal things going on in my life. My friends and family have been a blessing as has the new man in my life. All have been supportive and caring, and all will have my undying gratitude and love.

Since beginning my new life, I got a job with the nation's largest retailer. The atmosphere there is great, and things are looking up. Starting in apparel, I've moved on to the jewelry department where I got a small raise. A small wonder in the short two months I've been there. Working there has also opened my eyes to some of the things that continue to astound me by those who choose to live off the public dole instead of being free individuals who pave their own way in life.

One of the first things I learned is that most clothing does have limits. When cards are replenished, this is one of the first noticeable things one sees. I really wish I didn't have to see it, but..... For those who may think I'm exaggerating, go to peopleofwalmart.com for proof. Asking that material to hold back more blubber than an Eskimo fishing expedition is like trying to dam the Colorado River with Lincoln Logs.

This next lesson may make some of you queasy, so please take a few moments to grab some Pepto Bismol. Trust me. Ready? Here goes.

Those who carry an EBT card full of YOUR money are able to buy jewelry with it as long as the cash balance allows. This includes certified diamonds, gemstones, and high-end watches. I guess buying silly items such as soap, laundry detergent, or toothpaste escapes some people. Mama needs a new nose stud. And the arrogance with which it is presented is disgusting. It's almost as if the nose of the hard workers of this country is being rubbed in the fact that the only skill these people have is scamming us out of more of our money.

How many of you know that those who use food stamps don't pay taxes on food that you and I do? That's the way it works here in Pennsylvania. While you and I are paying a few extra cents on pop (soda for the rest of yinz) and other taxable food items, they don't. While it may seem petty to gripe about something like that, take the number of cases sold times 36 cents here in PA and do the math. Working people pay $3.60 more on ten cases than those who appear to have no desire to work. Multiply that by the number of cases sold nationwide at different tax rates, and you've got yourself a huge number. Better stop now or I'm going to wind up with a migraine.

So how does one keep their sanity when the welfare floodgates open approximately twice a month? I'll give you a few pointers to hopefully make it a more pleasant experience.

• Avoid going there at the beginning and midway through the month. That's when cards are replenished and the entitlement mentality flourishes. If you must go then, be prepared to see things nightmares are made of.
• If you can do so, shop very early in the day. Most of the entitlement crowd likes to stay up playing XBox until the wee hours of the morning and sleep until at least noon. This also avoids having to hear them screech at their out-of-control minions. How do I know this? You'd be surprised at the number of them going into the store with their kids in tow when I'm leaving at 11 p.m.
  
• Those of you who have elderly or disabled people with you when you go might want to follow the second bit of advice also. The availability of motorized shopping carts plummets when the welfare crowd descends upon the store.
  
• Thinking of having a cookout on the patio grilling some Delmonico or New York strip steaks? Again, go early. These items are big with those who have a card full of food stamps as are crab legs and pricey seafood.
• Avoid the electronics and toy departments unless absolutely necessary. Should you feel the need to get away from these bloodsuckers, go to the cleaning or personal care departments. A lot of them don't spend much time there.

Now that I've done my good deed for the day, I'm going to pose some questions to those dregs of society who have no desire to work. These are things I'd love to be able to ask while I'm breaking down freight or breaking my back moving merchandise.

1. What makes you think that you are entitled to the fruits of my hard work and that of millions of other Americans? If your answer is "Because I got pregnant and have no education", you lose. You should NOT be rewarded for irresponsible behavior and poor decision-making. You want the freedom to make your own choices, be free enough to accept the consequences of those decisions.
2. Why should I have to pay for your cell phone? Here in PA, welfare will provide a cell phone. That's a travesty. If your answer is "Because I deserve to have one just like everyone else", you lose. You deserve it if you earn it. All other circumstances constitute theft of the American worker with big government as your shakedown man.
3. Why are so many of those who have food stamps and choose to use them on a permanent basis so obese? If your answer is "They don't have money for food", you lose once again. Food stamps should not be feeding a steady diet of Ho Ho's and junk food. And it's about time yinz start doing what the rest of us do: get the most for your dollar. Instead of buying the high-end food and lots of convenience foods, get more for less. Just because government gave you a certain amount of my money, be frugal and don't waste it. I don't have a choice in the matter, and neither should you.
   
4. When one decides to live off of welfare, why does personal hygiene seem to be the first thing to go? While I understand that circumstances in a person's life may be that they don't have a lot of money (Believe me; I'm living it.), there is NO reason to be filthy dirty. Have some self-respect and some consideration for those around you. Instead of spending $30 on snow crab legs, use it to go to the laundromat. Take the $20-$25 you spend on fancy steaks and buy soap and shampoo. It really doesn't cost that much. You may have to be poor, but you don't have to be dirty. Oh....and please at least wash your children's faces and hands before going out in public. They will learn what you teach them.
5. Why is it that the generational welfare crowd sees no problem with multiplying like rabbits? If you need welfare for one child, doesn't that give you any hint that it's not going to get better when you have 3, 4, 5, or 8? Refer to #1 for more ranting.

Thanks to those who have taken the time to read my rant. It's a much needed venting that's long overdue.

Hypocrisy: Thy Name is Welfare

Yesterday, I was talking to a family member who had read my post and just happens to work at Wal-Mart. She was kind enough to pass along a few little details that I was unaware of.

In the state of Pennsylvania, we have a 6% sales tax on everything except food and clothing. Now, when I say food, I'm talking about your basic necessity items. If you want pop, you pay sales tax. That is, unless you get food stamps.

Yes, kids, you read that right. While the government has talked about taxing sugary and unhealthy food and drinks, that's only for the working schmucks. Those with food stamps are exempt from paying sales tax on pop in Pennsylvania. Guess who gets stuck paying that when there's a tax shortfall? Hint: it's not the welfare recipient with the flat-screen plasma TV and blu-ray disc player.

My family member also told me that I really should watch what I say about welfare recipients in front of the cashiers at Wal-Mart (yeah, right). Here in PA, if you are able-bodied and receiving welfare, you are required to work a certain amount of hours. Evidently, some cashiers at Wal-Mart still get welfare. In fact, I was told that one cashier at the store my relative works at is employed full-time, but still gets welfare to the tune of about $600 a month in food stamps. She also said that this cashier is known to throw parties A LOT. Guess who's picking up the food bill for those?

At what point do the honest, hard-working people of this country get a break??? The disdain for the welfare class has grown exponentially because of their entitlement mentality. People are sick and tired of paying for those who have no desire to work for what they want, and the politicians just keep promising more and more to those people for their votes.

I believe that if you are on welfare, you should not be allowed to vote. It's only common sense that they are going to vote for those who promise them more while not requiring anything in return. It's a basic conflict of interest.

Some groups say that the average food stamp recipient only gets approximately $1 per meal per day. BULLS**T!!! That statistic is what the rest of us are forced to make do with! And when they shoot their wad within the first week of getting a fresh supply, what do they do? They go to local food banks and get more free food!!! It really needs to stop.

One question for anyone on welfare who may be reading this (fat chance): What gives you the right to think you have a claim to my money? Get off your high horse, quit whining, and GET A JOB like so many Americans do every day. No jobs you say? There's the "hope and change" you wanted. Deal with it.

My Run-In With the GIMME Crowd

A short while back, I saw where there was an increase in the amount food stamp recipients will be getting. By now, it has probably taken effect. I wasn't going to comment on it because I had done my post on "The Gimme Crowd" (check "welfare" label) and didn't want to be redundant. Well, today changed that.

I had to run an errand for my husband this morning, and, since I didn't have the kids with me, decided to stop at Wal-Mart and actually take the time to look at things I wanted to but never seem to be able to do. It was nice to actually have some alone time. Not that I don't love my kids, but...

I picked up a few items for my daughter's birthday on Monday (she's into the Jonas Brothers OMG!!!!) before heading to the checkout. What happened there PISSED ME OFF!!!

In Pennsylvania, welfare recipients get an "ACCESS Card". It's like a debit card, and all of their benefits, food stamps and cash, can be handled with this card. Usually, in PA, accounts are replenished at the beginning and middle of the month.

Needing cigs, I got in the cigarette checkout behind a couple who looked like they were in their early 20's. They were stereotypical white trash looking. They each had a buggy: one with nothing but Pepsi and Mountain Dew, and the other with food and miscellaneous items.

After putting the food and other items on the belt (I noticed about 10 DVDs and some New York Strip and Delmonico steaks), I watched as the girl got out her ACCESS card. Needless to say, I went from zero to bitch in 0.2 seconds.

I proceeded to get on the phone with a friend of mine and start ranting. When asked what I was doing, I told her that I was behind some "white trash spending our money" at Wal-Mart. Mind you, I have a big mouth, and there was NO WAY this couple could avoid hearing me. I went on about how I wished WE could afford the finest steaks and latest DVDs and how no one seems to have any shame about using other people's money to get these things because getting a J-O-B would cut in on their video game time. My friend was speechless (not an easy thing to do).

The happy couple went on to talk to the cashier while she was ringing up their order about the party they were having tonight. Grilling steaks, watching movies, etc. Sounds great doesn't it? Before swiping the almighty ACCESS card, this couple got TWO cartons of cigs. And not the cheap ones I had to switch to. Two cartons of Marlboro for them, one pack of off-brand for me.

They ended up getting over $200 worth of Pepsi and Mountain Dew. Mr. Wonderful had his own ACCESS card. That's when my jaw almost hit the floor.

As they were leaving the checkout, I yelled over "You're welcome!" They just kinda looked at me as I said "For all your stuff...you know....I paid for that!" At that point, they realized they weren't dealing with anyone rational and just kept on walking. The cashier looked at me and just started smiling. I think I spoke for her, too.

It's time people start to realize that the welfare crowd is not doing this as a stepping stone to a better life. This is the bedrock of their existence. I say "Bring back the stigma!"